Hello Everone,
Evelyn Here,
On November 9, 2006, Attorney Charlies Crist issue to followoing message in his weekly News Release - Volume 4, Issue 45.
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A Message from Attorney General Charlie Crist
Two days ago, almost 5 million of our fellow Floridians exercised the
greatest gift of democracy when they went to the polls and voted. Now,
we should all take a moment to remember those who preserved that right
to vote, and all of our cherished rights, by serving in our nation’s
military.
Saturday is Veterans Day, and we must never allow this special
occasion to become just another three-day weekend. We must always
preserve the special feelings that led to it becoming a holiday in the
first place. After all, where would we be if not for the brave men and
women of the United States military who have preserved and protected
our rights for more than two centuries?
The dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s military personnel
should
never be taken for granted. This is especially so in Florida, which is
home to the second-largest population of military veterans in the
nation.
Almost 2 million of our neighbors are military veterans, and close to
one in ten of them retired here after serving a full military career.
No matter where they served or what their role, each one of these
American heroes played a role in keeping us free, and each one of them
deserves our thanks and our respect.
That’s what Veterans Day is all about.
It is also about the special young men and women currently serving in
the military, who will soon join the ranks of the veterans we salute
this weekend. Many of those now participating in the global war on
terrorism are National Guard members who never expected to be deployed
to combat zones, yet they willingly do their part to ensure the
freedoms of those of us back home.
More than 10,000 Floridians serve in the Florida Army National Guard,
and another 2,000 serve in the Air National Guard. Three-fourths of
these courageous young Floridians have participated in the global war
on terrorism, and right now more than 1,000 of them are playing
important roles in this vital cause.
For those overseas, what could be more fitting than to return home on
the day reserved for those who served? For more than 150 members of
the Florida National Guard’s 652nd Military Police Company, that
special moment will arrive on Saturday - Veterans Day - when they
return to Plant City following a one-year tour of duty in Iraq.
For that group of soldiers and their families, Saturday will take on a
special meaning. For those who served earlier in our nation’s
military, November 11 already had a special meaning.
And for all of us who cherish the freedoms they fought to protect,
Veterans Day will always be one of the most special days of the year.
We salute the brave men and women who have served our nation through
military service, and wish them the best as we honor their dedication
and service on this weekend reserved for them.
Charlie Crist
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